Ryan Mason reveals clear realisation he had after winning Europa League with Tottenham

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Ryan Mason admitted that helping Tottenham Hotspur end their 17-year trophy drought was a career high, but explained that he knew his time at N17 was up as soon as the club achieved European success.

Mason’s long association with Spurs – first as an academy player, then a first-team star, an academy coach, and finally as a first-team coach – ended in the summer on a high as the Lilywhites lifted the Europa League trophy.

The 34-year-old subsequently decided to call time on his stay at North London and decided to leap into the world of management, taking over as West Brom’s head coach.

Tottenham fans have wished Mason well in his new managerial venture, and he has now explained his reasons behind leaving his boyhood club.

Ryan Mason says Europa League win was perfect end to his Tottenham chapter

Speaking to The Guardian last month, Mason remarked that it did not feel right to stay after Tottenham’s Europa League triumph.

He has now elaborated on that decision, admitting that he wanted to leave on a high after playing a part in the North London club’s historic success.

The Baggies head coach has told The Telegraph: “The Europa League final was incredible, probably the best feeling I’ve ever had on a football pitch. There was relief and so many other different emotions after going so long without a trophy [17 years].

“At the same time, there was also a realisation in my mind that it was the end of the chapter at Tottenham. To leave a mark like that was a very satisfying feeling. The next challenge is to try and chase that feeling I had in Bilbao here and create something with West Brom.”

Mason hails ‘incredible’ Ange Postecoglou

Previously, Mason had said that in time, people will appreciate what Ange Postecoglou achieved at Tottenham by ending the club’s 17-year trophy drought.

The 34-year-old has now admitted that he thoroughly enjoyed working with the Australian, remarking that he learned a lot, not just about football, but also about being a better person from the former Tottenham boss.

When asked about working with Postecoglou, Mason said: “It was incredible for me to be a part of his team. I learned a hell of a lot, not just from a football side, but from a human side as well, which is important. We’ve got a bond that will never be broken because we won together and we created history together.”